Blogs from Gauteng, South Africa, Africa - page 8

This is my last day in Africa and my last day in Johannesburg – and it’s a very special one. The early part of my adventure was all part of the Give Movement Journey 2015 – the activities of the past few days are a result of my master networking skills and abilities, and I mean that in all sincerety. Most of my colleagues continued on to various safari trips after the Give Movement 2015 project. Prior to coming to Africa, I asked my colleague Sandy Salle (http://www.hillsofafrica.com) to connect me with some of her contacts in Zimbabwe (this is her native home and she is a very generous soul!). She made the initial introductions and I took it from there – resulting in the start of new relationship with Hema Vallabh, http://www.thepassionateprofessional.org Before Ch... read more

And here I am - after 2 very long days of travel - intersting times on the road, though. It is 27 degrees Celsius - quite a change from -25 at home when I left. It is delightful to be met by my guide, Natasha (all arranged by http://www.HillsofAfrica.com and my buddy, Sandy Salle!) - when one is at the level of fatigue that I was getting off that plane, it was nice to be told where to go and what to do, LOL. The hotel I am staying at is right at the airport so it was just a short walk away and off we go. http://www.thecitylodgehotel.com The room is really quite nice - very comfortable and it was only moments before I hit the bed. I only intended to sleep for 2-3 hours but ... read more

I am back at the pool, but no little girls to play with. Writing these notes instead. Not sure if the temperature reached 30°, because the pool felt colder today. Although during our visit to Gold Reef City, the heat was sweltering. Our departure this morning at 9:00 took us south, through much more affluent neighbourhoods. We glimpsed the mansions of Cecil Rhodes and other original gold and diamond magnates, now designated as heritage buildings. The government has just started to restore the first one. (In Pretoria more progress has been made, we are told.) We passed Turffontein, which was a White district during apartheid. The houses would fit into any mid-century neighbourhood in Calgary, except they were finished in what looks like sand coloured stucco. We passed closer to the old Johannesburg downtown and glimpsed ... read more

I am really here! After all the planning (for one year) and preparation and excitement, I am actually sitting by the pool of the Garden Court Hotel in a wicker love seat under the trees with the noise of downtown traffic humming in the background. In this garden a hidden bird cries from the trees, emitting a long descending squawk that sounds very much like a baby starting to cry. Too reminiscent of last night on the plane! And on the edge of the pool is a woman with waist-length braids, who has been taking selfies for the last ten minutes! Patrick, the guide who brought me from the airport said that Sandton is a “second downtown”, built in the last thirty years on what used to be farmland. No hotels remain in the old downtown. ... read more

Arrived yesterday after 2 GRUELING flights on Virgin Atlantic. Less legroom than Asian carriers. At hotel adjacent to airport. Drove to hotel in our rental car on the British (wrong side) of the road. Will leave shortly for 8 hr drive (sight seeing route) to overnite in Pilgrim's Rest. Will drive rim of Blyde River Canyon, third largest on earth. #1 in Namibia and #2 is Grand Canyon. Both of these are arid. Blyde is tropical and green. Hopefully we get good pics since weather is rainy. Tomorrow we head out for Kruger.... read more